Tips for Being Happy at Work

As much as I love my job, there are some days where I just want to pull my hair out. We all have days like that, some more so than others.

If you find yourself struggling to find happiness at the workplace, try these expert tips fromWoman's Day to boost your office mood.

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Say “yes” to your boss, but “I’ll get back to you” to others. Are you a “yes, ma’am” kind of woman? That’s good in many ways, like when your boss asks you to lead a new project that could get you promoted. But when a coworker, client or anyone else asks you to do something for them that you’re unsure about, don’t commit right away says happiness expert Gretchen Rubin. Instead, says Rubin, say “I’ll get back to you.” That will empower you at work and improve your happiness in the long run.

Do the thing you dread first. Is there a task in your workday that you dread, so much so that you think about how much you dread it all day and find yourself struggling to get it done in the final hour? According to Carol Kryder, PhD, a clinical psychologist, the “fun factor” rule could help you. “If you have a number of things to do within a short time, prioritize them in order of their ‘fun factor,’” she says. “For some people, that means doing the distasteful jobs first and saving the best for dessert.”

Do some squats. Yes, it’s surprising advice, but a set of 20—yes, 20!—squats in your office might help you feel happier. “Short and intense exercise can stimulate the release of growth hormone, a natural mood enhancer,” says Dr. Cilona. He adds, “Doing squats engages the largest muscles—the legs—so the maximum amount of growth hormone release is achieved.”